There’s always plenty to look forward to as the festive season approaches, however it is also a time when opportunist thieves are targeting homes across the UK. Statistics indicate that burglaries can increase by up to 40% during the winter months – as the nights get longer and darker, households become more susceptible to break-ins. Here’s some of top tips to help you protect your home.
How to reduce your risk of burglary over Christmas
Lock your doors and windows
It may seem obvious, but it’s an easy one to forget, especially with the excitement of Christmas time. Each time you leave the house, or go to bed, double check your doors and windows to make sure they are locked. Even if it’s just a short trip, an opportunist could strike.
Take the spare key inside
Seasoned burglars know to look under the flower pot or beneath the door mat. Opt to leave a spare key to your home with a close friend, family or trusted neighbour instead.
Avoid advertising your Christmas celebrations
We all love to see the our Christmas tree in all its glory, sparkling away, surrounded by presents. However if possible, avoid putting your Christmas tree and gifts in front of a window, because to a burglar, that’s window-shopping.
Don’t treat your social media like a window either – never advertise what you have bought, or the fact that you are away.
Don’t be wreckless with your rubbish
When you dipose of packaging for expensive goods and Christmas presents, try not to leave a stack of folded boxes out on display for collection. This can advertise to would-be burglars the kinds of items available at your home, ripe for the taking.
CCTV and alarms – let the bells ring!
Home security measures have come a long way in recent years. Smart doorbells are now fairly commonplace, and give you an added sense of security, warding off potential intruders who don’t want to be caught on camera.
Consider installing an intruder alarm, and activate it each time you leave your home unattended.
What to do if you’re going away at Christmas?
Most burglaries occur between 2.30-4.30pm during the school run, as burglars know that parents rush to leave home without proper precautions. But they can also spike during the Christmas holidays.
So, if you are going away for more than a day or two, leave a key with a trusted friend, family member, or neighbour, who can check on the house for you and even park on your drive – as well as watering any plants!
If you can’t do this, try putting your lights on a timer and/or using a TV simulator light. This is a cost-effective way of simulating that someone is home. Just don’t let it be obvious you aren’t there.
Going away on trips at Christmas is always exciting, and it’s natural to want to share the news. However, avoid broadcasting that you won’t be home on your social media. This can apply to the weeks before your holiday or via location services such as checking in at airports.
Otherwise, you’re letting everyone know that your home is unattended and potentially vulnerable to theft. So save the photos and videos for when you’re back home instead!
Which areas of the UK have the worst burglary rates?
According to data provided by Eurocell, these are the top ten areas most affected by burglaries in 2024:
| City | Population | Burglaries | Highest monthly burglary count | Lowest monthly burglary count |
| Leeds | 455,123 | 1 in 63 | 667 (Jul 2024) | 439 (Feb 2024) |
| Gateshead | 77,649 | 1 in 78 | 111 (Aug 2023) | 59 (Feb 2024) |
| Bradford | 299,310 | 1 in 79 | 366 (Jan 2024) | 242 (Sep 2023) |
| Middlesbrough | 142,707 | 1 in 96 | 140 (Aug 2023) | 97 (Feb 2024) |
| Birmingham | 984,333 | 1 in 109 | 832 (Jan 2024) | 589 (Mar 2024) |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 192,382 | 1 in 111 | 169 (Jul 2023) | 95 (Nov 2023) |
| Kingston upon Hull | 314,018 | 1 in 132 | 226 (Jul 2024) | 145 (Feb 2024) |
| Coventry | 359,262 | 1 in 144 | 232 (Nov 2023) | 172 (Sep 2023) |
| Wolverhampton | 252,791 | 1 in 154 | 163 (Oct 2023) | 98 (Feb 2024) |
| Sheffield | 685,368 | 1 in 154 | 393 (Jul 2023) | 302 (Jun 2024) |
Is your insurance up to date for the holidays?
As the data shows, January saw the highest burglary rates across all cities over the past year. Darker evenings, new Christmas presents, and residents being away over the holiday season may make this period particularly attractive to burglars due to the increase in unoccupied households.
Christmas often comes with an increase in valuables—new tech under the tree, heirloom decorations, and maybe even a guest staying in that newly refurbished spare room. Underinsurance is a common and growing problem, and if you’ve not got adequate cover for the full cost of repairs and replacements, you may have to pay thousands of pounds extra. It’s thought that around 80% of people undervalue their possessions and home structure, leaving them incredibly exposed.
Your ‘home insurance’ can come in three forms:
- contents insurance to cover the items inside
- buildings insurance to cover the build itself
- or it can be cover that combines both
Each type is designed to provide you protection in case of unexpected and potentially costly situations. A broker can advise you on the best ways to tackle your home and contents insurance, and discuss your concerns in person, to give you clarity and peace of mind.
What to do if you need to claim?
It’s always frightening and distressing if you are the victim of a burglary. There’s a few precautions you can take now to make life a little easier if the worst does happen.
Firstly, make sure your buildings and contents insurance is current.
Photographs and receipts are very useful in the event of a claim. Keep your receipts for high value and precious items, as well as bookmarking any photos. These can help streamline the claims process.
If you would like to check your home contents insurance is up to date, to make sure you aren’t at risk of underinsurance over the Christmas period, do get in touch with your local Howden branch. We’ll be happy to help!
This is a marketing blog by Howden.